人偶品牌Hot Toys創辦人—陳浩斌先生

Interview with Mr. Howard Chan – founder of HOT TOYS

HOT TOYS是一家源於香港的玩偶公司，專門面向世界市場設計、開發和出產大小12英寸（約30厘米）的高精細度收藏性可動人偶，以逼真的頭部、做工精細的用材及豐富的配件聞名。該公司成立於2000年，最初專門生產1:6比例的美軍特種部隊人物可動人偶，之後過渡到現在以生產電影人物、電玩遊戲人物為主，尤其是他們的電影名作系列品牌（Movie Masterpiece Series）高端人偶。他們的團隊主要由雕塑家Yulli和畫家JC Hong所領導。
2010年，Hot Toys的唯一一個官方商店「Toy Hunters」，被「Time Out」消費指導雜誌評為香港最佳50個獨立商店之一。
Hot Toys Limited is a Hong Kong-based production house for designing, developing, and manufacturing highly detailed collectible merchandise to worldwide markets. Established in 2000, the company initially focused on producing 1:6 scale U.S. military special forces action figures before transitioning to production of high-end figures based on media properties, primarily under their Movie Masterpiece Series brand. Their team of artists is led by sculptor Yulli and painter JC Hong. In 2010, Hot Toys’ one and only official store, Toy Hunters, was recognized as one of the 50 best independent shops in Hong Kong by “Time Out” Magazine.

前言

Mr. Howard Chan, a big fan of Star Wars and founder of HOT TOYS which produce widely known 1/6 action figures, shares with us his memory of Star Wars and the stories of Star Wars figures production, including the soon-to-be-launched 1/6 action figures DX Bespin Luke Skywalker. Thanks to the help of SL8111, we are most happy to visit HOT TOYS and Howard in August 2011

My First Time with STAR WARS

Howard was 5 when he and his cousin watched the 1st Star Wars Movie (Episode 4 – A New Hope) at Mongkok’s Lai Sing Theatre. It was all amusement to Howard that the movie was totally different from other sci-fi films at the same period. Apart from the brilliant plot and dialogue, it brought out really splendid side products – toys. “When the 2nd Star Wars Movie (Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back) was on show, I got so excited and was crazy about it. The white scene design; the excellent coherence of the plot line and the setting of machine and characters, such as Drath Vader who links up the whole story, all left me strong impression” said Howard, “I still remember that I saw a Star Wars 3.5 inch figure at a toy shop at Ocean Terminal Mall when its movie on show. I wanted Han Solo style so much but, you see, as a child I could only look at it. Kids at that time love Luke Skywalker a lot, to us, he is the hero of righteous that we always looked up to.” Not until the showing of the 2nd Episode (Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back) that Howard owned his first Star Wars 3.5 inch figure – Luke Skywalker in Cloud City scene.

Besides toys and movie promotional products, Howard also collected Star Wars newspapers when he was a child. “I still read them when I have time.” said Howard. Asking for his opinion on the three prologues, Howard told us he liked Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith the most. He also noted Star Wars Expanded Universe and Luke’s style in Dark Empire made quite an impression on him. However, due to heavy business, he didn’t pay much attention on recent years’ Clone Wars animations TV season.

HOT TOYS and STAR WARS

“I fell for Star Wars since childhood; after starting my business, to manufacture Star Wars products became one of my goals.” said Howard.
In 2006, Howard’s creative ideas earned him an authorization to manufacture Star Wars Chubby. Such figure series brought global Star War fans surprise. Regrettably, the series ceased production as considerable problems occurred in the process of examination and manufacture.

Hot Toys 與 Star Wars

Yet Howard didn’t simply give up his dream. At last, an authorization was given to HOT TOYS to manufacture 1/6 figure this year as the company has been earning higher opinion and ranking in the international figure market.

Amongst all Star Wars movies, Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back influenced Howard the most. As Luke Skywalker has always been his favourite character plus his first owned figure is Luke Skywalker in the Cloud City scene so he decided to manufacture Bespin (Cloud City locates on Bespin Planet) Luke Skywalker in an even more exquisite and glamorous DX series as debut production. Apart from movable eyes, two headpieces, two costumes and one Cloud City scene stands, Howard told Troop 501 a piece of exclusive news, the figure actually contains two Nos. figure bodies, both headpieces have movable eyes (Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS)). The aerial at the scene stand bottom is fixed into a positionwhich could be adjusted so that players could place the figure wherever even surface . Such friendly design will definitely captivate global Star Wars fans. Seeing that the final design is yet to confirm pending approval and modification, pictures of the figures could not be disclosed. Still, Howard hopes the figure would be ready to order in next few months and be launched the soonest in first quarter next year.

Unlike any other film figures introduced by HOT TOYS, Star Wars figures do not have a problem of timeliness as the movie is the Classic of all sci-fi films. “I believe that slow works yields fine products, so I plan to produce one design every year. So far, I have neither a plan for other series, nor an idea of next character for the DX series. All I wish is to produce an authentic Star Wars figure that has a taste of the 80s.” said Howard.

By end of the interview, Howard shares with us an interesting interlude in 2011 San Diego Comic Con.

“It was quite a surprise to find Mark Hamill, actor for the role of Luke Skywalker, having autograph ceremony in the spot.” told Howard. “Back then, HOT TOYS has announced the introduction of Star Wars figures; the rudimentary model of our debut – Bespin Luke is exhibiting in the hall; and the figure’s core production team are all there, so I immediately grab the figure and call together the team to rush to meet Mark hoping that we all could take a picture. However, when we got there, he’s already gone.” continued Howard, with disappointment shown on his face. “I would still hope to hand in the Bespin Luke figure to him personally in future.”

HOWARD and 501ST

Howard told us that he heard from friends that 501st is a professional Star Wars cosplay organization. On one hand, given the opportunity, 501st introduced to Howard its establishment objectives and charitable purposes; on the other hand, Howard was intrigued by 501st armour, especially Sandtrooper and Boba Fett. “I look forward to putting on the armour with my son and participate in the charitable activities.” Howard looks very excited and we all expect this day to come.

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it is Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. @ 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
Establishedsince 2012